Merging databases with different fields

[Guest]

I have two databases of store inventory with different fields and data. I
want to merge them. Is this possible? I have read about append queries and do
not know what that is, nor do I know how to create relationships between
tables or databases. Please help. Thanks!

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Is this similar to your post in the other newsgroup?

When you say you want to "merge them", what is it that you are trying to
merge? If the databases have different fields, why are you merging them?

When you use an append query, you are adding 'like' records from one source
to another. From your description, this doesn't seem appropriate.

Relationships between tables reflect relationships between entities (or
should, if the tables are well-normalized). For example you could have a
table that held Orders (and order-related information), and a second table
that held OrderItems (one row for each item in the order). These two tables
are related one-to-many (one Order can have one or more OrderItems).

--
More info, please ...

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP
Microsoft IT Academy Program Mentor

 

[Guest]

Thank you for answering. Yes, this is the same question. I am new to this and
was not sure if I needed to ask the question generally and not just to you.
The two databases are as follows: One is the database of a website we have,
the other is a catalog. I want to merge them so that all items from the
catalog can be quickly added to the website. One problem, as I said is that
each database contains different fields. Another,and maybe related problem,
is that I am not clear how to properly set up the relationships between
tables.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

These newsgroups are a little like a bulletin board at the market. Anyone
can post, anyone can answer.

I'm afraid I know very little more than I did before...

If the separate databases have different fields, why are you appending
records from one to the other. An example of my definition of "different
fields" means one holds information about trucks, and the other holds
information about class registrations at the university -- different fields
means different data, to me. Are you saying your data is the same in both,
but the fields are named differently?

And again, relationships have to do with the underlying data. What about
your underlying data are you trying to relate?

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP
Microsoft IT Academy Program Mentor

 

[Guest]

Sorry. Yes, the data is basically similar; although, there are differences
both in field names and what is contained therein. For example: one Db has a
field for item # and one does not, one has afield for numbering (in
auotnumber no less) and one does not.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

To append one set of data to another, you'll need "common" fields in both.
This might mean you have to add new fields to one or the other or both
existing databases to accommodate whatever final set of data you seek.

Are you actually adding new records (appending), or are you trying to
update one set of records based on related data in another set of records?

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP
Microsoft IT Academy Program Mentor

Sorry. Yes, the data is basically similar; although, there are differences
both in field names and what is contained therein. For example: one Db has
a
field for item # and one does not, one has afield for numbering (in
auotnumber no less) and one does not.

 

[Guest]

I am actually trying to update both. Adding fields is probably what I will
have to do. Thank you. How do I actually do the merge? Also in one Db there
is an item Id column that is on autonumber and the other Db will not let me
add autonumber since there is already data, is there a way around this?